Ayaneo 2 Review

Gaming enthusiasts, rejoice! The Eye Neo2 is here, and it's ready to take the handheld gaming world by storm. With its brand new bezel-less screen, impressive resolution, and powerful AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor, this gaming PC offers major performance improvements and a comfortable ergonomic design. While it may come with a hefty price tag, it outperforms its competitors in almost every way. So, if you can afford it, the Eye Neo2 is definitely worth the investment.

Redesigned for Comfort and Immersion

The Eye Neo2 brings significant design upgrades compared to its predecessors, the Eye Neo Next and the Eye Neo Air. The ergonomics of the Neo2 have been revamped, making it more comfortable to hold. The most notable change is the introduction of a bezel-less screen that spans edge to edge. With a 1610 resolution of 1920 by 1200, the screen feels much larger and enhances the overall gaming experience.

The joysticks and triggers on the Eye Neo2 are among the best you'll find on any handheld gaming device. They use effect sensors to track movement, making issues like joystick drift virtually impossible. In practice, they offer smooth and precise control. Additionally, the Eye Neo2 features gyroscopes that track the device's movements, further augmenting the controls.

A Personal Computer in Your Hands

What sets the Eye Neo2 apart from its competitors, like the Steam Deck, is its operating system. Unlike the Steam Deck, which runs a mobile version of Linux, the Eye Neo2 runs Windows 11 Home Edition. This means that it functions like any other gaming PC and is designed for mouse and keyboard interaction. So, if you're familiar with using a PC, you'll feel right at home with the Eye Neo2.

Enhanced Design and User Experience

The Eye Neo2 has undergone design improvements to enhance user comfort and ease of use. Its rounded design feels great in the hand, and the face of the device is covered in high-quality glass, giving it a premium look and feel. The power and sleep button, which also doubles as a fingerprint reader, has been moved to the left side for easier access.

Battery life on handheld gaming PCs is always a concern, and the Eye Neo2 addresses this by increasing its battery capacity to 50.25 Watt hours. Depending on your usage, the device can run for two to six hours. It offers multiple power settings, ranging from an 11-watt power-saving mode to a 22-watt game mode. However, at 33 Watts, the battery will drain in less than an hour.

Connectivity options have also been improved on the Eye Neo2. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and now features three USB Type-C ports for charging and connectivity. It also includes a Micro SD card slot for expandable storage and an audio combo jack for a wired headset. The addition of a volume rocker further enhances the user experience.

A Gaming Powerhouse

When it comes to performance, the Eye Neo2 truly shines. With its Ryzen 7 6800U processor and DDR5 memory, it offers a killer combination. In gaming benchmarks and tests, the Eye Neo2 outperforms its competitors, including the Steam Deck. It can handle modern games at above low settings with playable frame rates. Whether you're playing in its balanced mode or its high-performance Pro mode, the Eye Neo2 delivers impressive results.

In addition to its gaming prowess, the Eye Neo2 also excels as a replacement for a full-fledged gaming PC when used with a dock. The fact that it runs Windows and is compatible with all games and software that work on a regular gaming PC gives it a significant advantage over the Steam Deck.

Conclusion: A Pricey, Yet Astounding Machine

While the Eye Neo2 comes with a higher price tag than some of its competitors, its performance and capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for gaming enthusiasts. It offers a superior gaming experience with its impressive screen, comfortable design, and powerful processor. If you can afford it, the Eye Neo2 is no doubt an astounding little machine that will take your gaming adventures to the next level.

For more handheld PC gaming reviews, be sure to check out our review of the Steam Deck. And for all things gaming, stay tuned right here on IGN.